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Australian Bee Gees tribute star pays respect to the late Robin Gibb

In this undated file photo, from left, members of The Bee Gees Maurice Gibb, Robin Gibb and Barry Gibb pose for a photo. A representative said on Sunday, May 20, 2012, that Robin Gibb died at the age of 62.

For the first time, singer and actor David Scott from the Australian Bee Gees show at the Excalibur has talked about the recent passing of Robin Gibb, who he portrays in the tribute band.

“For the past 15 years, I have impersonated him in the show, so we are particularly saddened by his death,” David said. “One moment we were happy to be celebrating our second successful year at the Excalibur, and the next we are very sad over his death.”

Robin Gibb died May 20 after a long battle with colon cancer, and his funeral was June 8. Barry Gibb is now the sole living Gibb brother from the group formed in 1958 that sold more than 220 million records worldwide.

David added: “It’s like part of Robin has become part of me over this time, and now that he is gone, I feel something of myself is missing. And yet I have gained so much. His extraordinary talent, generosity and kindness will be sadly missed by myself and countless others all over the world.

“God bless Robin Gibb. May he rest in peace.

“But the astounding music of the Bee Gees lives on. We, Michael Clif, who plays Barry, and Wayne Hosking, who plays Maurice, plus two talented musicians feel it is our calling to continue to provide people with the opportunity to hear their music and experience what it would be like to see the Gibbs brothers in concert.

“As the Australian Bee Gees, we carry their music in our hearts. It’s important to us to keep their music and legacy alive. Their career was phenomenal.”

They were the only act in music history ever to achieve five singles in the Top 10 simultaneously. Additionally, they had 16 Grammy nominations, seven Grammy Awards and a Grammy Legend Award.

“As the Australian Bee Gees, we try to re-create the experience of seeing the Bee Gees. We stay in character for the entire show, paying much attention to all the details and remaining very respectful of their musical legacy.”

David told me that all the favorite Bee Gees songs are in the show, including the classics “Stayin’ Alive, “ How Deep Is Your Love,” “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” and “You Should Be Dancin.’ “

He added: “We encourage people in the audience to get up and dance, and we love seeing them letting loose and having a great time getting involved in the show. What’s really nice is we can mold the performance around our audiences on any given night because we aren’t scripted.

“The success is a testament to the worldwide popularity of the Bee Gees’ music. We don’t perform with a safety net, and we give it our all each night.

“It makes us proud that our show has been endorsed by official Bee Gees Club President Terri Bridges as ‘the best Bee Gees tribute show in the world.’ ”

He laughed, summing up: “It’s also great to share the Excalibur showroom with our fellow Aussies the hunks of Thunder From Down Under.”

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.